Man City's Maresca claims Man Utd won derby with offside goal, demands apology
Man City's Enzo Maresca claims Manchester United defeated them three years ago with an offside goal by Bruno Fernandes, saying no apology was ever given for that incident. Maresca spoke after VAR officials admitted that Erling Haaland’s winning goal against United last Sunday should not have stood, as it was initially flagged for offside before being overturned. The VAR team said Haaland was played onside by United defender Patrick Dorgu, and Pro Ref has since apologized to United for the mistake.
However, Maresca insists City never received an apology for the Fernandes goal from a few seasons ago, stating, "Three years ago we lost the Derby at Old Trafford with a goal that had to be disallowed. No one apologised. We are still waiting for the apology." He added that such errors sometimes go for a team and sometimes against it, calling it part of football.
For Nigerian EPL fans, this exchange underscores ongoing concerns about VAR consistency and the impact of officiating decisions on match outcomes and fan trust. While there is no immediate action required, supporters may consider how such controversies affect their viewing experience and the broader conversation about improving refereeing standards in top‑flight football.